Classic Flowers Make a Comeback: Rekindling Memories and Beautifying Gardens
Everything old is new again, and in when it comes to plant choices, it’s even better!
Gardeners are returning to classic flowers. Roses, hydrangea, peony, and other flowering shrubs that may be thought of as old fashioned are now in demand. These timeless flowers, with large blooms bring gardeners back to simpler times and offer a connection to memories, family, and friends that may have influenced our love of gardening.
“This return to nostalgic plants is part of the larger trend we’re calling the Garden of Romance,” says Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter for Monrovia. “The connection to the past is merging with the need for attractive, low-maintenance elegance. Think big, beautiful blooms, softer colors, and a return to romance in the garden. Modern breeding is making these traditional plants even better for gardeners. They are easier to grow and provide more blooms than shrubs of the past.”
The Perfect Plants for Your Garden of Romance
Evergreens
Evergreens and topiaries provide focal points and create living screens.
Holly
Ruby Colonnade® offers a little something extra for evergreen fans. New foliage emerges a deep red before transitioning to a bright, glossy green. This specimen creates a pyramid of dense texture.
Cotoneaster
Shear Genius™ was discovered by Dan Hinkley, this evergreen shrub features fine foliage in an upright and narrow form. Shear Genius is perfect for hedges or for shearing into formal shapes.
Hydrangeas
New reblooming hydrangeas bring more and longer lasting blooms to the landscape.
Seaside Serenade® Crystal Cove
Add a modern twist to the garden with this elegant hydrangea. Stunning, star-shaped flowers sit atop dark, nearly black stems for a dramatic look.
Seaside Serenade® Newport
This hydrangea features striking flowers that are a deep plum in acidic soils or a vibrant pink in more alkaline soils. It also features exceptionally strong stems to combat the weather.
Roses
Add fragrance and romance with modern roses, lilac and mock orange that are disease-resistant and easy to grow.
Eau De Parfum™ Bubbly
Exceptionally fragrant and high petal count for that beautiful, traditional rose look. 2023 Green Thumb Award Professional Winner.
Heavenly Ascent® Pink Climbing
Climbing roses are all the rage and the fragrant Heavenly Ascent series is just the right size for any garden. It will grow to 8-feet tall, perfect for growing up an arbor or pergola.
Written by NGB Member Monrovia
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